alternate
gb/ˈɔltɚnɪt/ us/ˈɔltɚnɪt/
B1
Inglés
~ 5200
váltakozik, váltogat, minden második, alternatív, másik, tartalék, helyettes, póttag, váltószög
VERBO
B2
1
váltakozik
B1
váltogat
B1
Patrón de uso:
[someone/something] alternates between [A] and [B]
During the workout, we alternate between running and walking every five minutes.
Az edzés alatt ötpercenként váltogatjuk a futást és a gyaloglást.
The weather alternated between sunshine and heavy rain all afternoon.
Egész délután váltakozott a napsütés és a heves eső.
You should alternate study periods with short breaks to stay focused.
The teacher alternated group work and individual tasks throughout the lesson.
They alternate the night shifts so no one works late every day.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
I alternate between tea and coffee in the morning.
Reggelente felváltva iszom teát és kávét.
The lights alternate between red and blue.
A lámpák fénye piros és kék között váltakozik.
We alternate work and rest every hour.
She alternates between feeling happy and feeling sad.
The two players alternate serving the ball.
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes say *"I alternate to watching TV"* instead of *"I alternate between reading and watching TV"*. Use "alternate between A and B" or "alternate A and B", not "alternate to".
Significado
to switch between two things
Colocaciones
alternate between
|alternate with
|alternate A and B
|alternate rapidly
|alternate regularly
Sinónimos
switch (More informal and general; not always about a repeated, regular pattern.)
|
rotate (Often used for people taking turns or things changing in a fixed order.)
Antónimos
continue (Suggests staying with the same thing without changing back and forth.)
|
remain (Emphasizes not changing from the current state.)
Temas
daily life
|time
|habits
|core_vocabulary
Definición
To change from one thing to another again and again, usually in a regular way.
To repeatedly change from one thing, state, or action to another and back again, usually in a regular pattern.
B1
2
Patrón de uso:
on alternate [days/weeks/rows/etc.]
I go to the gym on alternate days so my muscles can rest.
Minden második nap járok edzőterembe, hogy az izmaim pihenhessenek.
We visit my parents on alternate weekends.
Minden második hétvégén meglátogatjuk a szüleimet.
Plant the flowers in alternate rows of red and white.
He works alternate night shifts and day shifts.
The cake had alternate layers of chocolate and vanilla.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
I wash my hair on alternate days.
Minden második nap mosok hajat.
They meet on alternate Saturdays.
Minden második szombaton találkoznak.
The wall has alternate black and white lines.
She works alternate mornings and evenings.
We sit in alternate seats to have more space.
Error frecuente:
Learners often confuse "alternate" with "alternative". "Alternate days" means days that come every second day (e.g., Monday, Wednesday, Friday), not "different" or "additional" days. Also, it is natural to say "on alternate days", not *"in alternate days"*.
Significado
every second in a sequence
Colocaciones
on alternate days
|on alternate weekends
|alternate rows
|alternate stripes
|alternate weeks
|alternate layers
Sinónimos
every other (Very common in everyday speech; almost the same meaning but used mainly for time periods, not physical positions.)
Antónimos
consecutive (Means happening one after another without a break, the opposite of having a gap between occurrences.)
Temas
time
|schedules
|patterns
|core_vocabulary
Definición
Happening every other time or place, with one different thing between each.
Happening or placed every second time, position, or place in a regular sequence, with another thing in between each one.
B2
3
Patrón de uso:
an alternate [plan/route/version/etc.]
We need an alternate plan in case it rains during the event.
Szükségünk van egy tartaléktervre arra az esetre, ha az esemény alatt esne az eső.
The driver took an alternate route to avoid the traffic jam.
A sofőr egy alternatív útvonalat választott, hogy elkerülje a forgalmi dugót.
The director filmed an alternate ending for the movie.
Please suggest three alternate dates for the interview.
They are exploring alternate energy sources to reduce pollution.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
We must have an alternate plan if this one fails.
Kell lennie egy tartaléktervünknek, ha ez nem sikerül.
I know an alternate way to get to the airport.
Ismerek egy másik utat a repülőtérre.
The boss asked for an alternate solution to the problem.
The game has an alternate version with new rules.
She offered an alternate date for the meeting.
Error frecuente:
Learners often mix up "alternate" (different option) and "alternative". In modern English, "alternative" is usually preferred, especially in British English. In American English, "alternate" is more common in this sense but can still sound slightly formal or technical in some contexts.
Significado
providing another possible option
Colocaciones
alternate plan
|alternate route
|alternate solution
|alternate version
|alternate ending
|alternate scenario
Sinónimos
alternative (Very close in meaning; "alternative" is more common in modern English, especially in formal writing.)
Antónimos
primary (Refers to the main or first choice, as opposed to a different or backup option.)
|
standard (Describes the usual or normal option, not a different one.)
Temas
planning
|travel
|problem solving
|core_vocabulary
Definición
Giving a different choice or plan when the first one is not possible or not wanted.
Providing another possible choice or plan instead of the usual or original one, especially when that one is not available or not preferred.
SUSTANTIVO
C1
4
Patrón de uso:
[someone] is an alternate for [role/event]
She was selected as an alternate on the Olympic team.
Az olimpiai csapat tartalékának választották.
If any juror becomes ill, an alternate will take their place.
Ha bármelyik esküdt megbetegszik, egy póttag lép a helyére.
He served as an alternate member of the committee for two years.
We need to name an alternate in case the main speaker is unavailable.
As first alternate, you will play if any starting player is injured.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
He is an alternate on the basketball team.
Tartalék a kosárlabdacsapatban.
We chose her as an alternate in case John cannot come.
Tartaléknak választottuk őt arra az esetre, ha John nem tudna eljönni.
The judge called an alternate when a juror got sick.
I will go as an alternate if they need me.
Each group must choose an alternate member.
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes use "alternate" as a noun where "alternative" is needed, for example *"This is a good alternate"* when they mean *"This is a good alternative"*. As a noun meaning a person in a role, "alternate" is most common in American English.
Significado
substitute person or replacement
Colocaciones
an alternate on the team
|serve as an alternate
|designated alternate
|alternate member
|alternate juror
|first alternate
Sinónimos
substitute (Very common; can be used more widely for people and things, and in both formal and informal contexts.)
|
backup (Informal; often used when someone is kept in reserve in case of problems.)
Antónimos
regular (Refers to the main or usual member, in contrast to a substitute or alternate.)
|
primary (Emphasizes that someone is the main choice, not a replacement.)
Temas
work
|sports
|organizations
|core_vocabulary
Definición
A person or thing that is ready to do the job of another person or thing if that one cannot do it.
A person or thing that can take the place of another if needed, especially in a role, team, or event.
B2
TECHNICAL
5
váltószög
C1
Patrón de uso:
alternate [interior/exterior] angles
When the two lines are parallel, alternate interior angles are equal.
Ha a két egyenes párhuzamos, a belső váltószögek egyenlők.
The teacher asked the class to mark all the alternate exterior angles in the diagram.
A tanár arra kérte az osztályt, hogy jelöljék be az ábrán az összes külső váltószöget.
Understanding alternate angles helps students prove that two lines are parallel.
In this figure, angle A and angle B are alternate interior angles.
The properties of alternate angles are often used in geometry proofs.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
In this picture, these two are alternate interior angles.
Ezen a képen ez a két szög belső váltószögpárt alkot.
We learned that alternate angles are equal when lines are parallel.
Megtanultuk, hogy a váltószögek egyenlők, ha az egyenesek párhuzamosak.
Please draw all the alternate exterior angles on the line.
The test has a question about alternate angles.
Our teacher showed us how to find alternate angles.
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse "alternate angles" with "adjacent angles" because they focus only on the size, not the position. "Alternate" here refers to their positions on opposite sides of the transversal.
Significado
geometry: alternate angles
Colocaciones
alternate interior angles
|alternate exterior angles
|corresponding and alternate angles
|properties of alternate angles
|pairs of alternate angles
Sinónimos
opposite (angles) (A loose description used in explanations, but not a precise technical synonym in geometry.)
Antónimos
adjacent (angles) (Describes angles that share a common side and vertex, the opposite of being separated on different sides of the transversal.)
Temas
science
|education
|mathematics
Definición
In math, used for two angles on different sides of a line that cuts across two other lines, either inside or outside the two lines.
In geometry, describing two angles that lie on opposite sides of a transversal line and inside or outside two other lines, such as alternate interior or alternate exterior angles.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
alternate
AFI
GB/ˈɔltɚnɪt/
US/ˈɔltɚnɪt/
Sílabas y acento
al - tern - ate (3 sílabas)
Stress on 1st syllable (al)
Formas de la palabra
Adjective
- Base: alternate
Noun
- Base: alternate
- Plural: alternates
Verb
- Base: alternate
- 3rd Person Singular: alternates
- Present Participle: alternating
- Past: alternated
Familia de palabras
Forms
alternates
noun
alternating
verb
alternated
verb
Core family
alternative
noun B1
alternatively
adverb B2
Related words
alternately
adverb
alternation
noun
Expresiones
alternate between
1/ˈɔltɚnɪt bɪtwˈin/
fixed phrase
regularly switch between two things
To change from one thing to another and back again in a regular way.
Ejemplos
- I alternate between reading and listening to music while I commute.
- The app lets you alternate between dark mode and light mode automatically.
- During the interview, he alternated between confidence and clear nervousness.
alternate plan
1/ˈɔltɚnɪt plˈæn/
fixed phrase
backup or second plan
A second plan you can use if your first plan fails.
Ejemplos
- We need an alternate plan in case the venue is not available.
- Our alternate plan is to hold the meeting online.
alternate reality
1/ˈɔltɚnɪt ɹiˈæləti/
fixed phrase
different possible world
A different world that is imagined or possible, not the real world we live in.
Ejemplos
- The movie is set in an alternate reality where history took a different path.
- Science fiction often explores alternate realities and timelines.
alternate route
1/ˈɔltɚnɪt ɹˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
different way to travel
A different way to go to a place if the normal way is not good.
Ejemplos
- The GPS suggested an alternate route to avoid the crash on the highway.
- We took an alternate route because the main road was flooded.
alternate universe
1/ˈɔltɚnɪt jˈunəvˌɚs/
fixed phrase
parallel or different universe
A different universe that exists at the same time as ours in stories or theories.
Ejemplos
- In this comic, the hero meets another version of himself from an alternate universe.
- Some stories imagine alternate universes where one small choice changed everything.
alternate with
1/ˈɔltɚnɪt wˈɪθ/
fixed phrase
happen in turn with something
To happen one after another with another thing, like a pattern.
Ejemplos
- Periods of heavy rain alternated with bright sunshine all day.
- Online classes alternate with in-person sessions this semester.
- Short videos alternate with text explanations in the course.
on alternate days
1/ˈɔn ˈɔltɚnɪt dˈeɪz/
fixed phrase
every other day
Happening every other day, with one day on and one day off.
Ejemplos
- I take this medicine on alternate days.
- They water the garden on alternate days to save water.
on alternate weekends
1/ˈɔn ˈɔltɚnɪt wˈikˌɛndz/
fixed phrase
every other weekend
Happening every other weekend, not every weekend.
Ejemplos
- The children stay with their father on alternate weekends.
- We go hiking on alternate weekends when the weather is good.